Seibu Ikebukuro Line train station entrance at Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It takes about 90 min. from Ikebukuro to Yokoze Station via Tokkyu express train. Cheaper trains take 2 hours.

Weeping cherry and Senzoku-Ike Pond. Near Senzoku-Ike Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line from Gotanda.

Senzoku-Ike Pond has a walking path which goes almost completely around. Only 1.2 km.

Senzoku-Ike Pond and cherry blossoms.

Map of pond

Bridge

Hachimangu Shrine torii

Hachimangu Shrine torii

Hachimangu Shrine

Hachimangu Shrine. Do not climb on the horse.

Chichibu Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line 西武池袋線 秩父駅

"Senzoku" means "wash feet." One legend says that Nichiren washed his feet in the pond.

Mt. Mitake is one of Tokyo's easily accessible peaks via cable car. But it still requires a good deal of climbing up slopes and steps. You can also hike to adjacent Mt. Hinode-yama. Great daytrip getaway from Tokyo's concrete jungle.Getting off the train at Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. I wasn't the only one who decided it was a good day to hike up Mitake. 御岳駅

Seibu Ikebukuro Line train at Chichibu Station

The area with the cherry trees is called Sakurayama.

Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. 御岳駅

Chichibu Station platform on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line

Nakamise shopping arcade at Chichibu Station 仲見世

Bentenjima, a small peninsula connected by a bridge.

Mitake Station on the JR Ome Line. 御岳駅

Chichibu Station

The pond is also depicted in woodblock prints such as by Hiroshige.

Bus stop for cable car station.

Bus for cable car station.

Cable car station.

Welcome to Mt. Mitake

Bridge to Bentenjima.

Cable car for Mt. Mitake.

570 yen one way. There's also a lift for an extra 100 yen. No one rides the lift.

Sakurayama with hanami pinickers.

Cable car to Mt. Mitake

Mitake-san Station for cable car

Hanami at Senzoku-Ike

Lookout deck near cable car station

This is where the path around the lake ends.

View from lookout deck on Mt. Mitake, Tokyo

Senzoku-Ike Station on the Tokyo Ikegami Line. THe train line was built in 1928.

Seibu Ikebukuro Line train for Hanno at Ikebukuro Station. By express train, it takes less than an hour to Hanno from Ikebukuro. Train fare is 450 yen.

Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

In front of Hanno Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Ikegami Baien Garden was originally the estate of Kokura Makoto (小倉誠), an owner of a high-class restaurant. After he died, his family donated the estate to Tokyo which later transferred it to Ota Ward.

Entrance to Ikegami Baien plum tree garden which opened in Aug. 1978. Admission is only 100 yen. The garden is operated by Ota Ward.